Roseola: How to Care for Your Child

Roseola is a viral infection that causes a high fever and a rash in infants and young children. The infection usually gets better in about a week. There are things you can do to keep your child comfortable and hydrated.

• If your child has a fever, you can give medicine if your health care provider says it's OK. Use these medicines exactly as directed:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.

• Don't give aspirin to your child as it can be dangerous.

• It is OK if your child does not want to eat much while sick.

• To prevent dehydration, offer plenty of clear fluids, such as a children's electrolyte solution, or offer breast milk if your child is still breastfeeding. Older kids can also have ice pops, gelatin, or water ice.

• Encourage all family members to wash their hands well and often to prevent spreading the virus.

• Your child should stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medicine. After the rash breaks out, your child is no longer contagious and may go to school or childcare.

Your child:

• is extremely tired or seems weak

• is not drinking

• has a fever that lasts for 5 days

Your child:

• becomes very fussy and cannot be consoled

• seems to have pain or stiffness when moving the neck

• has a rash that does not turn white (blanch) when touched

• appears dehydrated; signs include dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, less urine or darker than usual urine, crying with little or no tears

• has a seizure

What happens with roseola? Roseola (also known as sixth disease) is due to a viral infection. It begins with a high fever — often over 103°F (39.4°C) — that lasts for 3–5 days. When the fever goes away, a pinkish-red rash starts on the trunk that can last up to 3 days. The rash often spreads to the neck, face, arms, and legs.

Can infants with roseola have other symptoms? Many children with roseola get swollen glands and lose their appetite; some have cold symptoms and are fussy. A very small number of children may have febrile seizures (convulsions caused by high fevers) during the fever phase.

Can roseola spread to others? Yes. Because roseola is caused by a virus, it can be contagious during the fever phase. It is not contagious by the time the rash breaks out.